R&R Pacific - October 2015

calendar of events • travel • tech • recreation • health & fitness • restaurants • culture & arts • special features • nightlife • coupons & much more

OCTOBER 2015

A Florida getaway

From Pensacola to the Everglades

The call of the wild

Hunting on Guam

Fiesta on wheels Guam’s food trucks

Performers at the Wizardiry World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure theme park in Florida. Photo by Jackie Hanson

contents TRAVEL

Florida

PROCREATE PRESENTS

Topics in women’s health

ART

Janet Sablan Manns

CALENDAR

Guide to October events

SPECIAL FEATURE

JTM Benchrest

Essence of guam

Hunting on Guam

SPECIAL FEATURE

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Machete Auto Detailing

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Mobile dining: Food trucks

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food/restaurant SPECIAL FEATURE

Protection Concepts Unlimited

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Out & About

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Photos of events around the island 24

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Kosrae’s Rock Hopper trail run

SPORTS

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R&R Pacific is a lifestyle magazine that features the people, culture and activities that collectively make up Guam. We provide our readers a window into the different facets of Guam’s diverse community through vibrant photography and engaging articles.

www.facebook.com/rrpacificguam On the cover: John Borja, division chief of agricultural development at Department of Agriculture, and Chef Peter Duenas, owner of Meskla Bistro, share in their interest of hunting.

Photo by Jackie Hanson

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2015

R&R Pacific/October

PUBLISHER

SENIOR DESIGNER

Maureen N. Maratita

Vikki Fong

MANAGING EDITOR

SALES MANAGER

Jackie Hanson

Annie San Nicolas

ASSISTANT EDITOR

ACCOUNT MANAGERS

Joy White

Joedda Sanchez

REPORTERS

ADMINISTRATION

Thomas Johnson

Janice Castro, Jessica Quintanilla

Shaina Marie Santos

Carmelita McClellan and Vincent Leon Guerrero

PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Rosanna Dacanay

Marcos Fong

Glimpses of Guam Inc. Mission Statement: To be a renowned communications company that connects people with information through creative, engaging and effective products.

Glimpses Publications include: Marianas Business Journal • Guam Business Magazine • R&R Pacific • Beach Road Magazine

R&R Pacific • October 2015 • Entire contents copyrighted 2015 by Glimpses of Guam, Inc. R&R Pacific is published monthly by Glimpses of Guam, Inc., 161 US Army Juan C. Fejeran St., Barrigada Heights, GU 96913.

Telephone: (671) 649-0883, Fax: (671) 649-8883, Email: assist_editor@glimpsesofguam.com • All rights reserved.

No material may be printed in part or in whole without written permission from the publisher.

Travel///Florida

America’s peninsula packs more than thrilling theme parks

BY JOY WHITE PHOTOS BY JACKIE HANSON

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(Opposite page): Flagler College in St. Augustine, Fla., was originally built in 1888 as Ponce de Leon Hotel. Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the building serves today as a four-year private school to some 2,500 students; (Clockwise from top) The Saturn V, the largest rocket ever flown, housed at the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on Merritt Island, Fla.; Universal Studios Florida theme park; The Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum, a U.S. National Historic Landmark, in Key West, Fla.

From its stretches of white sandy beaches of Pensacola to the stylish, Latin-inspired city of Miami, the state of Florida is sure to entertain and delight. The sunshine state is home to quite a few mustsees and bucket list worthy adventures. There are concerts and golf in Tampa, auto racing and night life in Daytona Beach, casinos and cruises in Cape Canaveral and seafood, sand and sun in almost all of the state’s coastal cities.

One of the most visited vacation resorts in the world is located in central Florida. At Disney World Orlando, the young and the young at heart can lose themselves in the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom or Epcot, then cool off at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach.

Universal Orlando Resort, comprised of Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, is also located in Orlando. Attractions at Universal Orland Resort include Volcano Bay, Universal City Walk Orlando and Wet n’ Wild Orlando. During the year, the theme

park also hosts several events, including a Mardi Gras celebration, Halloween Horror Nights and a summer concert series. And for a magical experience, one must not forget to pay a visit to The Wizardiry World of Harry Potter to patron some of the wizarding world’s most famous landmarks, such as Dervish and Banges, Honeydukes, Ollivanders, Zonko’s Joke Shop, the Three Broomsticks and the Hog’s Head.

When done with the theme park circuit, it may be a good idea to clear the head by exploring some of Florida’s national parks or spending a quiet afternoon at a museum or historical landmark.

The Everglades National Park is right in Miami’s backyard, and from here one can experience Florida’s unique landscape and wildlife.

Visit the observation tower and estuaries or get a hands-on experience with a kayak, boat, canoe or bicycle trip to see the Everglades’ wet saw grass prairies, dry tropical hardwood hammocks and pinelands and mangrove swamps. Other national parks in Florida include Biscayne National Park and Dry Tortugas National Park.

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Section///Spotlight

(Clockwise from left) Mile Marker Zero of U.S. Route 1 in Key West, Fla.; The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade at Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure theme park; Clarence S. Higgs Memorial Beach in Key West, Fla.

St. Augustine in Northeastern Florida is laden with historical intrigue. The city is the oldest continuously occupied Europeanestablished settlement in the continental United States, having been established during the Spanish era. Today it is part of the metropolis area of Jacksonville.

The city’s attractions include Flagler College, which was built in 1888 as the Ponce de Leon Hotel. The structure is listed on the National Register of Historical Places. Other points of interest include the Avera House, the colonial quarter, the oldest wooden schoolhouse, the Castillo de San Marcos and Fort Matanzas national monuments, several historical churches and the St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum.

The Kennedy Space Center, located midway between Miami and Jacksonville on Merritt Island, is a must while in Florida. NASA has launched every human space flight from this facility, and it is also used for landing reusable space shuttle orbiters in good weather. The facility’s visitor complex has a variety of exhibits, artifacts, displays and attractions on the history and future of human and robotic spaceflight.

There is plenty of time for relaxation in Florida. In the Southernmost part of Florida — and the United States — is Key West, an island

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city in the Florida Keys. The city is famed for its pastel-hued, conchstyle houses and its coral reefs.

As the Southernmost point in Florida it is literally the end of the road.

Mile Marker Zero in Key West marks the end of a 2,369-mile interstate that connects most of the major cities in the Eastern United States.

It is customary to take a photo with the sign, while also enjoying the tropical weather and diving and snorkeling.

The Florida Keys is also the location of the Ernest Hemingway Home. In addition to being the famed author’s home, a U.S. National Historic Landmark and a structure of lasting architecture, the house is home to six- and seven-toed cats.

One would be amiss without attending one of the many festivals held in Florida during the year, including the Florida Seafood Festival in Apalachicola or the Ruskin Seafood Festival in Ruskin, located on the shore of the Little Manatee River, where entertainment, arts and crafts, activities and any manner of seafood dishes are available for sampling; the Rattlesnake Festival held in San Antonio in October; and the Central Florida Peanut Festival in Williston, a small farm community, which offers games, entertainment, horse-drawn trolley rides and a large assortment of peanuts and peanut products.

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Art///Janet Sablan Manns

STORY BY Joy White | PHOTOS COURTESY OF Janet MARIE Sablan Manns

Janet Marie Sablan Manns has turned her inspiration and artistic skill into a business.

Manns is a self-taught artist and entrepreneur, and does the painting and packaging herself. She supports local business by printing her work with local printers.

To Manns, the quality of her reproduced work is a cornerstone of her business and she ensures that her art on wood will last for years without fading.

Though an artist and entrepreneur, Manns is first and foremost a mother and wife. Several years ago she made the decision to remain at home as a way to support her young children and her husband.

She had enjoyed art in her youth but had turned to a more practical degree and career in accounting in her adulthood.

When she found herself with time on her hands, her sister encouraged her to return to her interest and talent.

Her interest deepened through projects she did with her church for plays and its haunted house. Manns also returned to her previous experience with Country Wood Crafts, which involved painting on wood.

Manns learned her craft through experimentation in printing and through online tutorials. Over time she learned to value her own work.

Manns’ signature pieces are of idyllic island settings, which depict her culture and love for family through a whimsical mood.

“You can still have that youthfulness in life. My children have always inspired me in my paintings. I’m glad to have spent that time with them,” Manns says.

The artist says the goal of her work is to help her audience value time with their families. Some scenes reflect her memories of spending time with her grandmother at Christmas.

“I want to help people value the time spent with family and children,” she says.

Some of her works are also inspired by her grandfather, Segundo Blas, a master wood carver. Her grandfather carved story boards, and in some of her works, she offers her version of a story board.

In developing her style, Manns had

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to do a lot of thinking. “I did research on what I like. I tried different styles, but I kept coming back to youthful, illustrative works,” she says. Her pieces are in graphite, pencils, gel mediums, ink, acrylic and paper in different textures.

Despite the enjoyment she gets from her artwork, Manns admits one of her challenges as an artist is finishing a painting. As she is painting, she gets an idea and starts on another.

“When doing art and business, the challenge is disciplining my time,” Manns says. “There are other aspects of business that need to happen, and I can get lost in paperwork, as well as the art.”

Manns’ plans for her business are to get to the point of reproducing her work on different mediums, such as fabric or even mugs. She also hopes to open her own studio where she can do her artwork, as well as have a space to invite other artists to help them develop their talents and be creative.

Manns’ artwork can be found on greeting cards and wooden ornaments, which are sold at A&L Craft Shop in Chamorro Village and at the Puntan Dos Amantes gift shop. Her artwork will be available at the Annual Holiday Arts & Craft Fair on Nov. 21 and 22. The event will be held at the Top o’ the Mar in Asan and is sponsored by the Guam Naval Officers’ Spouse Connection and the USO. Entrance fee to the fair is $5.

OCTOBER events

Ongoing through October

Early-bird registration: Xterra Island KONQER obstacle race and expo

featured event

Price: $85 Race location and date: Jose & Herminia Calvo Memorial Off-road Park, Yigo; Nov. 29 For more information visit www.xterraisland.com.

Registration: Guam Ko’ko Half Marathon and Ekiden Relay Marathon location and date: Gov. Joseph Flores Memorial Park (Ypao), Tumon; Nov. 8 For more information visit www.guamkokoroadrace.com.

October 10

16th Mudders Day 5K Time: 4 p.m.

Location: Turner Road, Asan For more information email guahanrunningclub@gmail.com.

Oct. 11

2015 Monster Energy Guam Motocross Championship Final Round Time: Gates open at 9 a.m.; kick-off at noon Location: Guam International Raceway, Yigo Free admission.

Oct. 17 and 18

Guam Symphony Society’s Kantan I Taotao Tano

Oct. 25

7th Annual Luna Festival of the Arts Hosted by Creative Indeed, this seaside event brings together arts and crafts and local talent. The Luna Festival serves as a platform to showcase Guam’s diverse array of local talent and bring together the different creative disciplines. Come in costume to enjoy an afternoon and evening of live entertainment, art workshops and interactive creative activities.

Browse the stalls of vendors offering food, crafts and any manner of curiosities. Activities and vendors at the event include body art, henna, Mangge Pops, Jamberry, clothing and keepsakes. There will be raffles and giveaways throughout the festival. The whole family is welcome.

Location: Jeff’s Pirates Cove, Talofofo Time: Noon to 8 p.m.

ADMISSION: Free For more information: www.creativeindeed.net

Time: 6 p.m. (17th); 2 p.m. (18th) Location: Lotte Hotel Guam For more information visit www.guamsymphonysociety.com.

Halloween pet costume contest

Oct. 24

Location: Guam Premier Outlets For more information visit www.gpoguam.com.

Oct. 24

33rd Ghoulish 10K Run Time: 6 a.m.

Location: Barrigada For more information email guahanrunningclub@gmail.com.

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Oct. 25

Island Music Awards Time: 7 p.m.

Location: Lotte Hotel Guam For more information visit www.guamima.com.

EVENTSCALENDAR

OCTOBER sun

mon

tue

wed

thu 1

fri 2

sat 3

MOVIES

Victor Frankenstein London Has Fallen The Walk Legend The Martian

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9 MOVIES

10 • 16th Mudders Day 5K

Pan

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Crimson Peak Bridge of Spies Goosebumps

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23 MOVIES

• Guam Symphony Society’s Kantan I Taotao Tano

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16 MOVIES

• 2015 Monster Energy Guam Motocross Championship Final Round

The Last itch Hunter Jem and the Holograms Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension

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• Island Music Awards • 7th Annual Luna Festival of the Arts

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30 MOVIES

Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse Our Brand is Crisis

17 • Guam Symphony Society’s Kantan I Taotao Tano

24 • 33rd Ghoulish 10K Run • Halloween pet costume contest

31 Halloween • Annual Trick or Treating

FEATURED MOVIE Oct. 9

Pan Directed by Joe Wright Starring Hugh Jackman, Amanda Seyfried, Levi Miller, Rooney Mara and Garrett Hedlund

An orphan is spirited away to Neverland, where he finds fun and dangers. Ultimately he discovers his destiny — to become the hero forever known as Peter Pan. This origin story brings together all the beloved characters and creatures that dwell in the magical Neverland, including Captain Hook, the villainous pirate; Tiger Lily, the Indian princess; and mermaids. *Event times and dates may change without notice.

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Advertorial///JTM Benchrest

John Sablan, owner of JTM Benchrest in Yigo, hopes to dispel perceptions of guns as a dangerous interest and strongly promotes training as a means to maintain safety.

For hobbies, hunting and home defense, JTM Benchrest provides STORY AND PHOTO BY SHAINA MARIE SANTOS

For those looking to find a new hobby, gearing up for their next big camping trip or hunting excursion or looking for a way to beef up their sense of security, JTM Benchrest can be the answer.

What began in 1996 as a gun shop operated by John Sablan out of his home in Guam’s Northernmost village of Yigo has grown into one of the island’s largest retail shops for firearms, ammunition and related gear. JTM Benchrest has provided guns and ammunition to local law enforcement agencies from the Superior Court of Guam to the Guam Department of Corrections. The company also supplies military contractors and shooting galleries that cater to Guam’s tourist market.

“Over the years we just kept expanding,” Sablan says the business began by catering to the tourism market. “Our gun sales [then] started to pick up so much, so I built a shop at my house on my property specifically for firearms.”

In March 2014, Sablan moved his shop to a 1,200-square-foot commercial space on Marine Corps Drive in Yigo next to Michelle’s Coffee Shop, which is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

The shop touts its inventory of mechanically sound and high quality firearms, such as Colt, Glock, Heckler and Koch, Bush-

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master, Remington and Smith & Wesson. The shop not only carries a large roster of firearms, but also offers a variety of accessories, ammunition and knives. JTM Benchrest also plans to add archery equipment to its assortment.

“We want to be the one-stop shop for Guam’s outdoorsmen,” Sablan says. “Not just [for] firearms and ammunition, but preparedness products — whatever outdoorsmen need to partake in their sport or for their daily living needs.”

Sablan and his brothers also perform repairs and custom work on guns in the shop with a specialization in Cerakote firearm finishing, which is considered one of the best firearms finishes on the market. According to Sablan, he is the only certified Cerakote applicator on Guam.

The passion for guns was ingrained in Sablan at an early age by his father and has manifested with JTM Benchrest, which incorporates Sablan’s and his brothers’ first initials.

“JTM stands for John, Tom and Mike,” Sablan says. “I wanted it to be a family business. My family and I, we’ve always been into the outdoors. Growing up, we had a ranch. We grew up in that area

Advertorial///JTM Benchrest

with our dad, hunting with our uncles almost daily. We were always outdoors and we were hunting since we were maybe 10 years old.

It’s in our blood.”

With Sablan’s many years of experience in gun handling, he maintains great responsibility for his role as a provider of firearms on Guam.

“I urge customers who are new to firearms to get some kind of formal training,” he says. “My goal is not to just sell anybody a firearm, but to ensure they have access to basic, formal instruction in handling them as well.”

For those who are not yet experienced in shooting but are interested in purchasing a firearm to take it up as a hobby, for hunting or for home defense, Sablan says the first step is to apply for a Guam firearms identification card, which allows holders to purchase firearms.

“If it’s your first time, come into our shop, and we can give you a little bit of an education on firearms,” he says. “We’re more than happy to help anybody who is interested but is just too hesitant on taking that next step as far as owning or operating a firearm. We can ease that worry or that anxiety. There are many instructors out there that are very willing to give our community the proper training they need to safely handle firearms.”

When a customer is ready to purchase a gun, Sablan says JTM Benchrest can help to determine the right gun for a customer’s needs.

“Is it for recreation, home defense or [are] they getting into hunting?” he asks. “We can narrow down their search that way. We’ll fit

them to the gun — [find] what feels good in their hand, what caliber they’re looking for. It’s very important that the gun feels right or natural in the person’s hand to help them with proper aiming and making sure they get on target.”

Shooting ranges and galleries remain popular on Guam and in the United States. Sablan says that shooting can be a great stress reliever.

“It’s very fun,” he says. “As long as you’re safe, as long as you have the training, you will have a lot of fun. It’s just another recreational activity, but it’s not to be taken too lightly. You have to get the right training, and safety is the top priority.”

Sablan hopes to dispel perceptions of guns as a dangerous interest and strongly promotes training as a means to maintain safety.

“A lot of people are nervous when they talk about firearms or owning a firearm, but I say, it’s just like anything [else]. If you have the proper training, there’s nothing to be afraid of. A firearm is merely an instrument, just like a pen, just like a frying pan. It doesn’t do anything to anyone unless a human interacts with it. The outcome of human interaction depends greatly on a person’s level of training and safety habits.”

In terms of personal safety, Sablan says it is a great tool to have.

“If you have a firearm, you’re less of a victim,” he says. “With the right training and the right knowledge, you can be very effective at saving somebody’s life or your own life.”

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Essence of Guam///Hunting

John Borja, division chief of agricultural development at Department of Agriculture, and Chef Peter Duenas, owner of Meskla Bistro, share in their interest of hunting. Photo by Jackie Hanson.

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Essence of Guam///Hunting

The

Thrill of the Hunt STORY BY JOY WHITE

While creeping through the undergrowth hunting prey, man’s senses alert him to every sound and movement. The ancient activity speaks to man’s natural instincts. Even today, the adrenaline of stalking game is unlike any other experience.

When he comes across game, Guam hunter and chef Peter Duenas says, “No words can describe the feeling.”

Hunting is fascinating, Duenas says. “It’s peaceful and meditational to get out there and enjoy nature,” he says. And if he’s fortunate, he catches a pig or deer.

Hunting is also a way to prevent the overpopulation animals that have become a danger to homes and crops. On Guam, pigs and deer are the biggest game.

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Essence of Guam///Hunting

Borja hunts to protect crops on his property. Photo courtesy of John Borja.

The rules On Guam, deer season starts Oct.1 and ends on March 31 each fiscal year, while pig season is year round. Hunting is allowed from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Any activity outside of these times, especially using artificial lights, will be deemed illegal hunting activity, according to John Borja, division chief of agricultural development of the Department of Agriculture. In order to hunt on Guam, potential hunters must obtain a hunting license, deer tags and revocable permits from the Department of Agriculture’s Division of Aquatic & Wildlife Resources. In order to obtain a hunting license, one must have valid firearms identification and pay a $15 fee.

According to Borja, a revocable or depredation permit allows temporary hunting to help landowners and farmers control wildlife damage to property and crops. Depending on the location of the property and the type of wildlife causing damage, a revocable permit allows for the taking items by means of firearms, archery, trapping and snaring, as well as using spotlighting at night, when animal activity is most active.

To obtain a revocable permit, one must indicate the type of property, location, damage sustained or property loss as a result of wildlife, type of damage sustained or property loss as a result of wildlife. The requesting individual must show proof of land ownership and list the names of individuals designated as controllers on the permit to include a copy of a current firearms.

Youth hunters must be at least 13 years old and must be supervised by a guardian. Youth hunters are only allowed one firearm, which can

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only be used under supervision.

At all times, hunters must use safety gear, use safety precautions and abide by hunting regulations.

“The primary focus is on safety,” Borja says. “Wear the appropriate safety clothing and be knowledgeable of the use of a firearm or archery equipment, identifying the target and knowing where the shot will go after shooting. [Also be aware] of the location of other hunters, buildings and roadways.”

Hunting is allowed on government of Guam public lands that are not under lease and on private property with written authorization by the landowner.

The Department of Agriculture hosts special events in between seasons. “In the past years, the department has extended the deer season through special hunts. In addition, the Department of Agriculture holds an annual pig derby to control feral pigs.

The techniques Duenas, or the Outdoor Chef as he is also known, began hunting at a young age with his grandfather on their ranch. “I still have fond memories that have stuck with me since then,” he says.

Duenas grew up in the North and has spent a lot of years hunting in its undergrowth. “But I’m not prejudiced. I’ll hunt anywhere,” he says.

Oftentimes, during deer season, Duenas will hunt on permitted areas on Andersen Air Force Base. He also goes on an annual trip to Alabama to visit a friend and hunt.

Essence of Guam///Hunting

(Left) Chef Peter Duenas, owner of Meskla Bistro, and John Borja, division chief of agricultural development at Department of Agriculture, dress in brightly colored clothing and reflective gear when going out to hunting. Photo by Jackie Hanson. (Right) Borja hunts several times a week, mostly in the evening. Photo courtesy of John Borja.

One of his most memorable hunts is when he captured a buck that, in addition to having seven-point antlers, had an additional horn growing from its forehead like a unicorn.

“... I have acquired a lot of knowledge and skills and, most importantly, learned to be [truly] conservative and have respect for the land, its natural resources and those that have come before us and still dwell in the jungle.” ~ JOHN BORJA DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Duenas hunts whenever he has free time. As owner of Meskla Enterprises LLC and member of some community organizations, he has to find time to balance his duties, and hunting is a stress reliever.

Duenas uses a variety of methods to hunt. He grew up trapping and then started with a shotgun. In 1998, he began using a bow.

Other traditional methods include using a deer whistle, which

is called bibek in Chamorro. Using this method is more traditional, Duenas says.

Another method is called tugan, Duenas says, which is when hunters use a runner, such as a dog, to scare out the game.

Pulan is the sit-and-watch method, which takes patience as a hunter waits and hopes game will come, he says.

Hunters also sometimes put food out to attract game. Cut coconut, fruit or taro is used to attract pigs, and taro is used to attract deer.

Borja caught his first pig when he was 12 years old with a pellet gun.

He also cleaned it himself. “Since then, I have acquired a lot of knowledge and skills and, most importantly, learned to be [truly] conservative and have respect for the land, its natural resources and those that have come before us and still dwell in the jungle,” he says.

“I was exposed to hunting at a very young age — 10 years old — by my neighbor who sometimes invites my dad and me to see what they had caught and to share the meat between families, especially during the holidays and village fiestas,” Borja says. “Since then my interest was not only hunting but fishing and being outdoors for most of my life.”

Although there are many, one of Borja’s most memorable catches was when he shot two full-sized bucks in one shot.

“You need perseverance and patience and to adapt to the environment. Success in the hunt is to understand the habits of the game and to blend into [the animal’s] environment. Success is measured in the recovery of the game,” Borja says.

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Special Feature///Machete Auto Detail

Machete Auto Detail opened in April, offering a wide range of detailing services that will leave vehicles looking as “sharp as a machete.”

Looking sharp: Machete Auto Detail sets up shop in Tamuning STORY AND PHOTOS BY THOMAS JOHNSON

If you’re looking for a place to get your car washed, vacuumed, and detailed, the friendly owners of Machete Auto Detail promise to have your car looking sharp as a machete. The company has been providing customers with mobile car detailing service on demand since April, but the list of clients and customers has grown so much that co-owners Eric Houston and Dominic Hernandez have set up shop in a permanent location to keep up.

The Machete headquarters, located at the former Mark’s Motors location in Tamuning, opened on Labor Day, and is manned by Houston, Hernandez, shop manager Stephen “Sparky” Owens and their hard-working crew.

“We do general detailing, for the most part,” says Houston. “For regular car care, we provide exterior washes, vacuuming and hand-

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shampooing the interior, but we also provide additional services like headlight restoration. Our work speaks for itself. You can speak to anyone who’s had their work done by Machete and they can tell you that not only are we the best on island, but our prices are competitive and we have one thing that a lot of other detailing companies don’t have, and that’s great customer service.” Houston adds that, on top of their competitive prices, Machete also offers discounts for military personnel, law enforcement and fire department personnel, DOC officers and realtors.

“We’ve had cars coming in here that you wouldn’t believe people could get their cars that dirty,” says Houston, laughing. “But we like a challenge. We always say, you can drive in here looking like a tumbleweed, but we’ll have you leaving looking sharp as a machete.”

Special Feature///Machete Auto Detail

(Clockwise from left) Eric Houston, co-owner; Stephen “Sparky” Owens, shop manager; and Dominic Hernandez, co-owner, Machete Auto Detail, pitch in with employees to detail cars; Machete Auto Detail include car washes at its Tamuning location; Machete Auto Detail offers carwashes and detailing.

As long-time cleaning professionals, Houston, Hernandez and Owens are often found working right alongside their crew. Taking breaks only to greet their customers with a smile and ensure that they’re comfortable while their cars are being worked on. Hernandez also owns DJH and Owens owns the Sparkle ‘n Shine window washing company.

“Being owners of other cleaning businesses, the three of us bring a tremendous amount of cleaning experience to Machete,” Houston says. “We each incorporate that into our work. We have a unique style. But more than that, we’re all hands-on, so you’ll never see our team out there by themselves. We’re always out there with them in the midst of it, cleaning and detailing and making sure everything is up to our standards. And I think that our customers and clients appreciate that they’re dealing one-on-one with the owner as well as with the detailer.”

“We’re definitely leaders, not bosses,” Owens adds. “One thing I like to focus on is our attention to detail. Personally, working for Machete I want to set the standard on Guam for what your car should look like after just a simple carwash or a full detail. I want people to look at us and say, ‘I want to be like them, if not better.’”

In addition to their bustling operations, the trio is looking into opening up additional bays at the site to accommodate more customers, and plans to set up areas for tinting and spray chrome treatments in the near future. “We’re also considering doing minor repair and are looking into doing paint work,” Houston says.

Apart from their primary location, Machete also has a running contract to clean and detail all the cars on the Cars Plus lots, and hopes to ultimately have satellite locations set up at dealerships around the island. “We owe a tremendous amount of thanks to Cars Plus,” Houston says, “we can’t thank them and the Crisostomo family enough. Not just for the contract, but for helping us to find this place so that we could set up a more permanent shop.”

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Restaurant & Food///Food Trucks

Mobile dining: Guam’s food trucks

Guam’s food trucks serve a diverse array of dishes, from tacos to burgers to barbecue favorites.

These establishments don’t need four walls to serve tantalizing fare not soon forgotten.

STORY BY JOY WHITE

Meskla on Wheels Location: Dededo, next to ERC Hours of operation: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Contact number: 688-BOKA(2652) Meskla, Chamorro Fusion Bistro in Hagåtña and its little brother, Meskla Too in Upper Tumon, have welcomed a new member to the family. Meskla on Wheels has everything one could want from the a restaurant, on the go, including the Uhang Burger, Firecracker Burger, fish tacos and empanadas. Barbecue plates are also part of the menu, with sides that include ribs and pork.

The SPOT Location: Route 16, Barrigada (by the Guam Army National Guard complex) Hours of operation: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday to Friday Contact number: 929-4425 Tucked away right off a major thoroughfare, The SPOT is a convenient place to pull over and get some fresh air. Burgers and fries, with or without an egg or with a selection of sauces including spicy mayo and zesty ranch, are the establishment’s main staples. Daily specials are also available, such as pot roast, beef stew, tinaktak and kadon pika.

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Restaurant & Food///Food Trucks

iTaco Location: Across from Abandon Ship, Tumon Time: 9 p.m. to 3 a.m., Tuesday to Saturday Have a late night craving for authentic tacos, or tacos with a local twist? iTaco has that covered. This food truck is located in the heart of Tumon, ready for any 1 a.m. cravings for Mexican delicacies. The food truck’s tacos are inspired by local dishes and tastes, including Longaniza tacos.

MoSa’s HotBox Locations: Skinner Plaza, Hagåtña on Monday and Thursday; and Agat (across from Inn on the Bay) on Tuesday and Wednesday Hours of operation: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Contact number: 488-6672 A longtime island favorite, MoSa’s offers a wide range of local and international dishes and does the job of making its mouth-watering dishes available to the central and Southern parts of Guam. And if the HotBox isn’t in the area or available, its sister restaurant, MoSa’s Joint in Tamuning, is ready to serve. Popular dishes include keleguen, soup of the day, curry, shwarma, burgers and more.

Up and coming - Buen Provecho The food truck business seems to be taking off on an island of foodies. Buen Provecho, which specializes in authentic Mexican tacos, burst onto the scene in 2013.

The brightly colored truck was a staple at the night markets and was more often than not spotted across from the GCIC building in Hagåtña. The canteen is now on its way to opening a restaurant and keeps its loyal patrons updated on its Facebook page.

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Special Feature///Protection Concepts Unlimited

Students of Protection Concepts Unlimited train at the Piti Firing Range.

Straight Shooting: Protection Concepts Unlimited provides experienced instruction STORY AND PHOTO BY JOY WHITE

When it comes to self-defense and protecting one’s family and property, James Santos, owner and instructor of Protection Concepts Unlimited, is more than certified to provide training.

Santos provides instruction on how to properly handle firearms and shooting technique, as well as security training, high asset escort and private investigation and surveillance training.

He holds many specialized certifications and offers decades of experience in law enforcement.

Courses are ideal for all skill levels, even those who have handled firearms for years. Santos says that it is imperative to practice in order to keep one’s skills sharp.

Courses offered include a basic pistol operators course, an advanced tactical pistol operators course, a basic patrol rifle/M4 op-

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erators course, an advance/tactical rifle/M4 operators course, a basic shotgun operators course and an advanced/tactical shotgun course.

Santos emphasizes that “a firearm is used for personal protection.”

Throughout his more than 30 years of law enforcement experience, Santos has been assigned to various divisions, including Patrol Operations, SWAT Operations, the Violent Street Crimes Taskforce, Special Investigations Section and Training & Staff Development Section with the Guam Police Department.

He also has a background with the U.S. military as a former member of the U.S. Army Reserves assigned to the E Co. 442nd Infantry and to the 368th Military Police Co. Santos is a certified National Rifle Association Pistol instructor, NRA rifle instructor, NRA shotgun instructor and NRA chief range

Special Feature///Protection Concepts Unlimited

James Santos, instructor and owner of Protection. Concepts Unlimited, instructs students on how to safely operate a firearm.

safety officer instructor. He is also certified as a Glock Pistol instructor and Glock Armorer, Smith & Wesson Patrol Rifle/M4 instructor, Smith & Wesson Submachine Gun instructor; Stratigos International Tactical Pistol, Tactical Rifle/M4, Tactical Shotgun Instructor, Less Lethal Impact Munitions instructor; and Low Light Operations instructor.

Santos also has 20 years of instructorship experience in other fields including as an emergency vehicle operator, in drivers education, a MEB baton instructor, a handcuffing instructor, OC Pepper Spray instructor, and Government Training Institute Train the Trainer Type 3 SWAT and Type III SWAT Operation for Terrorist Environments and TacCom Train the Trainer courses.

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OUT&ABOUT

out & about

Photos by Shaina Marie Santos

T Galleria Guam by DFS launched its signature beauty event, First Class Beauty, on Sept. 4.

Photos by A.H. Oftana

Guam Arts Society of Photographers offered professional family portrait sessions on Sept. 5 at the Guam Premier Outlets to raise funds for Saipan typhoon relief.

Photo courtesy of Bert Duarte

Photo by Shaina Marie Santos

Guam Arts Society of Photographers and the Western Pacific Islands Association of Fire Chiefs teamed up to raise funds for Saipan relief. The funds were presented to Sons of Saipan on Sept. 9 at Guam Premier Outlets.

Sheraton Laguna Guam Resort celebrated Sheraton Day on Sept. 10 with the launch of its new food and beverage program, “Paired.”

SEND US YOUR PHOTOS! TO SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS FOR OUT & ABOUT, EMAIL HIGH-RES PHOTOs to: rrpacificguam@gmail.com

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PLEASE INCLUDE: - CAPTIONS (NAMES, DATE, EVENT NAME AND LOCATION) - YOUR NAME AND VILLAGE

OUT&ABOUT

Photos by Ben Estavillo

Glimpses Publications hosted a day of fun at the Agana Shopping Center on Sept. 5 at the Kids and Family Fun and Fit Fair, including live entertainment, face painting and giveaways.

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OUT&ABOUT

Photos by Joy White

Back after more than 10 years, Shaggy — ­ Jamaican-American reggae fusion singer and deejay — was on island to perform a benefit concert on Saturday, Sept. 5 at the Guam Greyhound Park, with 100% of proceeds going to the Lady Diann Torres Foundation to assist in Saipan recovery efforts. R&R Pacific magazine attended an exclusive meet-and-greet with the artist on Sept. 4 at Sea Grill Restaurant.

The Guam U14 Boys national football team was in China in September to compete at the Asian Football Confederation’s U14 Boys Festival of Football at the National Training Center in Xianghe. Team members include Joshua Calvo, Alan Thomas, Coach Sung Wook Choi, Head Coach Dominic Gadia, Guam Football Association Assistant Technical Director Sang Hoon Kim, Coach Joseph Laanan, Team Manager Kimberly Sherman, Ryan Kent, Samuel Quan, Micah Hennegan, Robert Niu, Anthony Moon, Noah Bamba, Shane Larkin, Sho Meyar, Kainoa Ferguson, Benjamin Sweeney, Mark Iseke, Dorian Teria, Kaito Atsuta, James Lee, Matthew Iseke, Shaun-Paul Martinez and Noah Jaye (not pictured).

Photo courtesy of the Guam Football Association

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Sports///Rock Hopper

Kosrae’s Rock Hopper: A runner’s getaway STORY BY and PHOTOS BY JACKIE HANSON

Avid Guam runners have become familiar with the race calendar on the island, some venturing to races held in Saipan, Hawaii and elsewhere in search of new challenges and experiences.

But there’s a new race in the region that presents not only a physical challenge, but the spirited culture of one of Guam’s neighboring islands in the Pacific.

The Rock Hopper Race, now in its third year, is a 5.7-mile run on the island of Kosrae in the Federated States of Micronesia. The event starts the night before the race with an intimate welcoming reception and dinner hosted by the Kosrae Visitors Bureau. Participants get a chance to mingle under the thatched roof restaurant of Kosrae Village Ecolodge while sampling some of Kosrae’s local fare and enjoying entertainment by cultural dancers and singers.

Just after sunrise the day of the race, runners gather behind the starting line in front of the Pacific Tree Lodge Resort, just north of Lelu Village. The course turns onto a double-track Jeep trail, where runners are shaded by a canopy of tropical vegetation for the majority of the run. The trail makes its way through a local village and down to the main paved road in Tafunsak, where the last couple miles follow the Northeast curve of the island’s shoreline.

The race ends back at the Pacific Tree Lodge Resort with a jubilant cheer squad of Kosraean women singing in their native tongue and serving up plates of bananas, tangerines and other local fruits. The top three men and women are adorned with colorful floral head wreaths, and everyone sips water from fresh coconuts while the other runners make their way through the finish line.

With just 72 registered runners at last year’s race, the Rock Hopper has a unique sense of community.

“Running here is a lot more entertaining and refreshing,” said the first-place winner in the women’s division, Jill Brown.

She came out to the race with her husband, second-place men’s finisher Matt Brown, from their duty station in the Marshall Islands and was comparing it to the runway on Kwajalein they typically run around.

Yosiwo P. George, vice president of the Federated States of Micronesia, said they hope to get more service members in the region to attend the event in the future. The race is typically held on a holiday weekend to accommodate the vacation schedules of federal employees throughout the region.

This year’s race will be held on Columbus Day on Oct. 12.

Travel to Kosrae from Guam is via the Island Hopper flight, which makes stops on Chuuk and Pohnpei before arriving on the Easternmost FSM island of Kosrae. The local hotels — including the Pacific Tree Lodge Resort, Kosrae Village and the Nautilus Resort — offer discounted rates for visiting race participants. United Airlines does as well with use of a race code available on the event registration page on www.xterraisland.com.

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